PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROPOROUS ZIRCONIA

Small (< 10 μm) microporous zirconia has been prepared and evaluated as an alkaline stable high-performance liquid chromatographic support. Zirconia is an amphoteric metal oxide which exhibits both anion- and cation-exchange properties depending on the solution pH and the nature of the buffer. The affinity of zirconia for polyoxy anions, particularly the effect of phosphate on the properties of the zirconia, is examined. Most significantly, the exceptional stability of zirconia, even under extreme conditions, is demonstrated and compared to the stability of alumina. © 1990.